SPRINGFIELD, Mass. and ATLANTA, Ga. – The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and basketball star Chris Paul, in conjunction with CLC, the nation’s leading collegiate licensing company, announce the launch of a special apparel collection featuring the four Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) that will participate in the Boost Mobile HBCU Challenge.
The collection includes Norfolk State University, Hampton University, Texas Southern University, and North Carolina A&T State University, which will face off in the Boost Mobile HBCU Challenge, December 17 – 18 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
“The Hall of Fame is excited to expand our collaboration with Chris Paul and the participating HBCU institutions to connect with fans through this unique merchandise collection,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. “We hope this collection will engage HBCU supporters and basketball fans everywhere to help further the reach and mission of the Hall of Fame tournaments and these exciting two weekends of basketball.”
The exclusive line, developed by Pro Standard with creative input from Chris Paul, features apparel with event logos paired on school-specific styles. The collection will be available at participating institutions’ campus bookstores.
“I am committed to increasing opportunities for HBCU athletes and helping to elevate HBCU brands in the marketplace, and this merchandise collection delivers another extension in those efforts,” said Paul.
“We are proud to work with our HBCU partners, the Basketball Hall of Fame, and Chris Paul’s team to develop this merchandise collection,” said Ben Emmons, VP of marketing at CLC. “We look forward to continuing to help HBCU partners tell their story through unique products and activations, and of course seeing Chris Paul continue to show his support by proudly wearing HBCU gear during pre-games throughout the season.”
About the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame
Located in Springfield, Mass., the city where basketball was born, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting, preserving and celebrating the game of basketball at every level – men and women, amateur and professional players, coaches and contributors, both domestically and internationally. The Hall of Fame museum is home to more than 400 inductees and over 40,000 square feet of basketball history. Nearly 200,000 people visit the Hall of Fame museum each year to learn about the game, experience the interactive exhibits and test their skills on the Jerry Colangelo “Court of Dreams.” Best known for its annual marquee Enshrinement Ceremony honoring the game’s elite, the Hall of Fame also operates over 70 high school and collegiate competitions annually throughout the country and abroad. For more information on the Basketball Hall of Fame organization, its museum and events, visit www.hoophall.com, follow @hoophall or call 1-877-4HOOPLA.